The logic of squad selection is flawed

Brian Kerr, the former Republic of Ireland manager, joins The Irish Timessoccer team

The Irish squad selection was baffling. There should be criteria for inclusion in an international set-up. Being an outstanding talent obviously helps but every player must earn the right to be called in.

A few years back, after hearing of Caleb Folan's family connections, I went to a Leeds United youth game to see would he be worth selecting for the under-19s. He wasn't and has done precious little since to change my opinion.

When Folan pulled out the opportunity arose to bring in another physically imposing - and more importantly experienced - striker like Alan Lee, Clinton Morrison or even Gary Doherty. If they were to go another way, David Connolly is scoring goals in the English Championship and has some international pedigree. Andy Keogh has not been consistent at a high enough level for long enough.

Again, Darron Gibson has potential but what has he done to earn a place over Liam Miller among others? The logic is flawed and unfortunately consistent. See Sean St Ledger and Alan O'Brien.

Another concern for me with the new regime is the downgrading of video analysis. For all the best federations this is a critical element in match preparation. I was criticised for giving it emphasis but when I was coach the longest video session we ever had was 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, the players' concentration time is quite limited and that was their limit. Whose fault that was I don't know, but everything had to be fine-tuned to really tight versions of the trends in the game so they could stick it.

You see the international rugby players and how they have bought into the technological aspect of preparation. They rigorously analyse the opposition and themselves. And why shouldn't they? Winning is getting harder. Every avenue must be exhausted at this level.

But more of that later.

I have to admit that I'll wake up tomorrow morning with a tinge of regret that I'm not Ireland manager for the first match in Croke Park - especially considering I spent so much of my childhood going there.

My first sporting memory was going to the 1958 All-Ireland final with my Dad to see the Kevin Heffernan-led Dublin beat Derry. I was only five years old so he had to hoist me on to his shoulders.

Memories of him came flooding back this week. Frankie Kerr was Belfast-born but educated all over the globe as one of eight sons of a high-ranking British army officer. He was born in 1916 and travelled through the old British colonies like India and Egypt during the 1920s.

He passed on an appreciation of the joys of sport without bans, bigotry, discrimination or racism. Principles I carry on today.

He didn't come from a Gaelic or soccer background. In fact, he played hockey for Leinster although Frankie Kerr was best known for winning six Irish amateur boxing titles over three weights. The youngest man ever to win a senior title, when only 16 and that legacy is secured as you must now be 17 to box with the seniors.

He worked for Dunlop making footballs and stringing tennis rackets and as a tailor in O'Connell Street before passing away prematurely in 1968.

As a kid in Dublin who played all sports I dreamed of playing for St Pat's, Dublin and Ireland. In no particular order.

My weekends were a blur of attending sports events (actually, they still are) between the National Stadium, Croke Park, Tolka, Richmond, Dalymount, Parnell, Páirc Uí Tuathaill and Lansdowne Road for the odd rugby match. And many more pitches around the Dublin area.

From the time I was eight years old I played for soccer clubs, starting with Rialto, but in 12 years of schooling the ban denied us the opportunity to play in St Michael's, Inchicore or James Street. Still, plenty of balls were confiscated in the school yard by a caretaker named Mr Cooke.

But Gaelic football and hurling ruled supreme in school. I first played in Croke Park in an under-12 football final. I returned for athletics and hurling. I was probably a better corner forward than a soccer player. Initially, at least.

I was never overly affected by the ban, mainly because it didn't impinge on the Dublin youngster, say, like it would a rural kid.

I can remember two brothers called Brian and Fergus Cooney were great Dublin hurlers in the mid-60s who tilted their heads (ala Michael Collins) in the picture for the paper when they lined out for St Stephen's of Drimnagh.

When I left school my participation in GAA sports ended. There was simply no room anymore as I was playing under-17 for Shelbourne and coaching the Crumlin United under-13s.

I still went to Croke Park for big Dublin games, as a teenager with Eamonn Coghlan whose father, Bill, was the stadium PA, or occasionally down to see the local club Good Counsel.

Then there was the famous 12 Apostles final of 1983 when I found myself in a crush behind Hill 16. I survived but ended up watching it all at home.

The GAA policy towards soccer wasn't an issue for me until recent times because I always had plenty of special places to go see the game.

I will be proud to be at Croker tomorrow. Not to see the Dubs or a hurling final, U2 or to speak at a conference but as an Irishman in the new era watching a sport I love in an amazing environment.

Seeing the rugby unfold was a strange feeling, just like soccer in Lansdowne Road initially seemed.

I congratulate the members of the GAA, especially former president Seán Kelly, for making the decision to facilitate all lovers of Irish sport.

Hopefully in the future the circle can be complete by GAA games making use of soccer's better stadiums.

Brian Kerr will analyse Ireland's chances against Wales in tomorrow's Irish Times.